Corner piece for tubular shelving

ABSTRACT

A corner pieces for a tubular shelving unit may include a corner abutment flange, having a first lip and a second lip, the first lip adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall; a cross support element attached to the corner abutment flange; and tube support elements disposed on the cross support element. Alternatively, the corner piece may include a top platform, a first brace element disposed along a first edge of the top platform to form a first corner, a second brace element disposed along a second edge of the top platform to form a second corner; and tube support elements disposed adjacent to the first corner and second corners. The tube support elements may be adapted to accept and to support tubing in substantially aligned rows.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/083,588 filed on Nov. 24, 2014, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/094,309 filed on Dec. 19, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to tubular shelving and more specifically to components that may interact with tubular shelving.

BACKGROUND

Tubular shelving can provide a convenient and affordable solution for many shelving needs. Tubing, for example, plastic tubing, is readily available and can be easily cut to length. Rows of tubing may be mounted to a wall with brackets to form a shelf. The tubular shelving is strong and is well-suited to a variety of items. Tubular shelving would likely be more widely used if it were even easier to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a corner piece that can allow for easier corner installation of a tubular shelving system. According to known tubular shelving systems, a user must abut two pieces at a right angle to each other (See: FIG. 1). The known systems require at least two brackets and one brace. Various embodiments disclosed herein can reduce the number of parts from 3 to 1, and can also allow a user to more easily complete corner shelving for walk-in closets, garages, office shelving, and the like. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, a user can simply affix the corner piece to a corner and then attach tubes to form the shelves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1: is a schematic illustration of a known tubular shelving unit;

FIG. 2: is a schematic top perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3: is a schematic bottom view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4: is a schematic side view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5: is a schematic top view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6: is a schematic bottom perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7: is a schematic side view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8: is a schematic side perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9: is a schematic top perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10: is a schematic back perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11: is a schematic bottom perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12: is a schematic perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 13: is a schematic perspective view illustration of a corner piece according to various embodiments.

It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure as well as to the examples included therein. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In the figures, like reference numerals represent like or equivalent elements.

One embodiment relates to a corner piece for a tubular shelving unit. The tubular shelving unit may include a plurality of substantially aligned tubes. The corner piece may include a top platform, a first brace element disposed along a first edge of the top platform to form a first corner, and a second brace element disposed along a second edge of the top platform to form a second corner. A first plurality of tube support elements may be disposed adjacent to the first corner and adapted to accept and to support at least a first portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes. Similarly, a second plurality of tube support elements may be disposed adjacent to the second corner and adapted to accept and to support at least a second portion of the substantially aligned tubes. The first edge may be substantially perpendicular to the second edge. The first corner may be substantially perpendicular to the second corner. The first brace element may be substantially perpendicular to the second brace element. The first plurality of tube support elements is substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of tube support elements. For example, the first plurality of tube support elements may be disposed along the first corner to ensure that a top surface of each tube in the first portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes is substantially flush with a top surface of the top platform. Similarly, the second plurality of tube support elements may be disposed along the first corner to ensure that a top surface of each tube in the second portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes is substantially flush with a top surface of the top platform.

The corner piece may also include a cross support element disposed beneath the top platform and affixed thereto. The corner piece may also include a corner abutment flange attached to the cross support element. The corner piece of Claim 5, wherein the corner abutment flange has a first lip and a second lip, the first lip adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall. The corner abutment flange may include a plurality of through-holes. One or more of the plurality of through-holes are sized to accept a fastener.

According to another embodiment the corner piece may include a corner abutment flange, having a first lip and a second lip, the first lip adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall; a cross support element attached to the corner abutment flange; a first plurality of tube support elements disposed on a first side of the cross support element; and a second plurality of tube support elements disposed on a second side of the cross support element. The first plurality of tube support elements may be adapted to accept and to support a first plurality of substantially aligned tubes. The second plurality of tube support elements may be adapted to accept and to support a second plurality of substantially aligned tubes. The corner abutment flange comprising a plurality of through-holes. One or more of the plurality of through-holes may be sized to accept a fastener. The fastener may be selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail, and a pin. The corner piece may further include a top platform disposed on and attached to the cross support element.

One or more of the first plurality of tube support elements may have a central axis that is substantially parallel to the first lip of the corner abutment flange. Similarly, one or more of the second plurality of tube support elements have a central axis that is substantially parallel to the second lip of the corner abutment flange. This allows tubes attached, affixed, secured, or otherwise connected to the tube support elements to be substantially parallel to a first wall and a second wall adjacent wall, when the corner piece is mounted in a corner between the first wall and the second wall.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a known tubular shelving unit 1. The shelving unit 1 may include a plurality of tubular elements 2 held in place by plates 3 and/or braces 4, which may be affixed to a wall 5, by any conventional means, including but not limited to screws 6.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. The corner piece 7 may include a top platform 8. The top platform 8 may be supported by one or more brace elements 9. A plurality of tube support elements 10 may be disposed between the top platform 8 and the one or more brace elements 9, for example, at one or more top corners 16 formed at the intersection of the top platform 8 and the one or more brace elements 9. In embodiments where at least two brace elements 9 are provided, the two brace elements 9 may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The top corners 16 may have any angle, but preferably are right-angled corners. Each of the plurality of tube support elements 10 may comprise a void into which a tubular element 2 may be inserted. The void may be formed in a surface of the one or more brace elements 9 and/or in a surface of the top platform 8. Additionally or alternatively, a protruding lip 17 may define a boundary of the tube support elements 10. The protruding lip 17 is shown in FIG. 2 as a U-shaped lip, with an opened top. This U-shaped configuration allows a user to insert and/or to remove the tubular elements 2 by pressing or pulling them from the top of the corner piece 7. This configuration is advantageous, because the tubular elements can be cut to length and installed easily after the corner piece 7 is affixed to the corner of a wall. Two rows of tube support elements 10 may be disposed on adjacent corners 16 of the top platform 8. The two rows of tube support elements 10 may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The corner piece 7 may also include one or more mounting flanges 11, extending at right angles from the one or more brace elements 9. The one or more mounting flanges 11 may include one or more through-holes 12 to allow a user to use conventional attachment means, such as screws or nails to affix the corner piece to a wall.

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the corner piece 7 may also include one or more cross supports 13. The cross support 13 shown in FIG. 3 extends from a rear corner of the corner piece, i.e. a corner that is installed in the corner of a wall. The cross support 13 extends from the rear corner and across a bottom surface of the top platform 8 and may provide structural support to the top platform 8 and/or rigidity to the corner piece 7.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 provides a view of two mounting flanges 11 and the corresponding through-holes 12, illustrating that the mounting flanges 11 can extend to either side of a brace element 9.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, the corner piece 7 can provide a stable, flat surface upon which many items can be safely stored.

FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, a corner abutment flange 14 may be provided at the rear corner of the corner piece 7. The corner abutment flange 14 may be connected to or disposed adjacent to a cross support 13.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 shows that the corner abutment flange 14 may include one or more through-holes 15 to allow a user to use conventional attachment means, such as screws or nails to affix the corner piece to a wall.

Although a different configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, it will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the elements of the various configurations are equivalent. Therefore, the same reference numerals have been employed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 8 illustrates that the one or more brace elements 9 may include a plurality of reinforcing ridge elements 18. The reinforcing ridge elements 18 can add additional structural rigidity to the brace element 9. FIG. 8 also illustrates that in addition to extending along a top corner 16, the one or more tube support elements 10 may also be disposed at front corners 19 of the one or more brace elements 9. Additionally, the tube support elements 10 may include a void formed in a block 20 abutting the one or more brace elements 9. The block 20 may include a plurality of through-holes defined by structural cross-pieces 21 to reduce the amount of material needed to form the block 20.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 shows that the top platform 8 may include a plurality of perforations 22 and grooves 23. The perforations 22 and the grooves 23 can reduce the amount of material needed to form the top platform 8 without sacrificing its structural integrity. The perforations 22 may be spaced every 1 to 2 inches across the surface of the top platform 8. Similarly, the grooves 23 may be spaced every 1 to 2 inches on the surface of the top platform between the perforations 22. As shown in FIG. 9, the grooves 23 may include a right-angled turn such that each groove 23 extends in a lateral and a longitudinal direction on the surface of the top platform 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic back perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom perspective view illustration of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIGS. 10 and 11 demonstrate that the configuration shown in FIGS. 8-11 can include the cross support 13 and the corner abutment flange 14, as shown and described in other configurations. The corner abutment flange 14 may include a first lip 20 and a second lip 21. The first lip 20 may be adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip 21 contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall. In other words, the corner abutment flange may abut a corner.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic perspective view illustrations of a corner piece 7 according to various embodiments. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate that the tube support elements 10 can also be positioned on the cross support 13, adjacent to or in contact with the top platform 8. The cross support 13 can be integral or connected with both the top platform 8 and the corner abutment flange 14. The corner abutment flange 14 may include a first lip 20 and a second lip 21. The first lip 20 may be adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip 21 contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall. In other words, the corner abutment flange may abut a corner. The tube support elements 10 may have a first axis 30 as shown in FIG. 12 and a second axis 31 as shown in FIG. 13. The first axis 30 of the tube support elements 10 may be substantially parallel to the first lip 20 of the corner abutment flange. The second axis 31 of the tube support elements 10 may be substantially parallel to the second lip 21 of the corner abutment flange. A tubular element may be accepted within or may fit over the outer surface of each of the tubular support elements to secure the tubular element to the cross support 13. Since the first axis 30 and the second axis 31 of the tube support elements are substantially parallel with the first lip 20 and the second lip 21 of the abutment flange respectively, the tubular elements secured to the tubular support elements will also be substantially parallel with the first lip 20 and the second lip 21. This, in turn, means that the tubular elements will be substantially parallel to the first wall and the second wall.

All elements of the corner piece 7 may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials, including but not limited to wood, cardboard, metal, plastics, and/or composites. The elements may be formed separately and joined together and/or formed integrally. According to preferred embodiments the above-mentioned elements are formed of plastic, such as for example, an extruded plastic such as virgin or reclaimed polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethyene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), and mixtures or blends thereof.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A corner piece for a tubular shelving unit, the tubular shelving unit comprising a plurality of substantially aligned tubes, the corner piece comprising: a top platform, a first brace element disposed along a first edge of the top platform to form a first corner, a second brace element disposed along a second edge of the top platform to form a second corner, a first plurality of tube support elements disposed adjacent to the first corner and adapted to accept and to support at least a first portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes; and a second plurality of tube support elements disposed adjacent to the second corner and adapted to accept and to support at least a second portion of the substantially aligned tubes, wherein the first edge is substantially perpendicular to the second edge, wherein the first corner is substantially perpendicular to the second corner, wherein the first brace element is substantially perpendicular to the second brace element, and wherein the first plurality of tube support elements is substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of tube support elements.
 2. The corner piece of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of tube support elements is disposed along the first corner to ensure that a top surface of each tube in the first portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes is substantially flush with a top surface of the top platform.
 3. The corner piece of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of tube support elements is disposed along the first corner to ensure that a top surface of each tube in the second portion of the plurality of substantially aligned tubes is substantially flush with a top surface of the top platform.
 4. The corner piece of claim 1, further comprising a cross support element disposed beneath the top platform and affixed thereto.
 5. The corner piece of claim 4, further comprising a corner abutment flange attached to the cross support element.
 6. The corner piece of claim 5, wherein the corner abutment flange has a first lip and a second lip, the first lip adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall.
 7. The corner piece according to claim 5, wherein the corner abutment flange comprising a plurality of through-holes.
 8. The corner piece according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes are sized to accept a fastener.
 9. A corner piece for a tubular shelving unit, the tubular shelving unit, the corner piece comprising: a corner abutment flange, having a first lip and a second lip, the first lip adapted to contact a first wall while the second lip contacts a second wall that is adjacent to the first wall; a cross support element attached to the corner abutment flange; a first plurality of tube support elements disposed on a first side of the cross support element; and a second plurality of tube support elements disposed on a second side of the cross support element.
 10. The corner piece according to claim 9, wherein the first plurality of tube support elements are adapted to accept and to support a first plurality of substantially aligned tubes.
 11. The corner piece according to claim 9, wherein the second plurality of tube support elements are adapted to accept and to support a second plurality of substantially aligned tubes.
 12. The corner piece according to claim 9, further comprising a top platform disposed on and attached to the cross support element.
 13. The corner piece according to claim 9, wherein the corner abutment flange comprising a plurality of through-holes.
 14. The corner piece according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes are sized to accept a fastener.
 15. The corner piece according to claim 14, wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail, and a pin.
 16. The corner piece according to 9, wherein each of the first plurality of tube support elements have a central axis that is substantially parallel to the first lip of the corner abutment flange.
 17. The corner piece according to 9, wherein each of the second plurality of tube support elements have a central axis that is substantially parallel to the second lip of the corner abutment flange. 